Aaron Vail was born in Lorient (Morbihan), France. He was the son of a New York merchant, Aaron Vail, and his wife, Elizabeth Dubois, who was born in Saint Servan (Ille et Vilaine), France.
The father, who seems to have come of a Quaker family of Dutchess County, New York, was appointed American commercial agent at Lorient in 1803 and served there usefully during the Napoleonic era, rearing a large family on a meager income. After his death in 1815, his family came to the United States.
Career
Aaron obtained a clerkship in the American legation at Paris, traveled considerably in Europe, and served as a clerk in the Department of State. On August 1, 1831, he was appointed a secretary of legation at London. After the refusal of the Senate to confirm Van Buren's appointment as minister to Great Britain, Vail was appointed chargé d'affaires at London and filled this important position from July 13, 1832, until April 1836; he then became secretary of legation once more and remained in London until December 1836 in that capacity.
Completely at home in London society and on excellent terms with such British statesmen as Palmerston and Wellington, the bachelor charge received the approval of President Jackson, with whom he corresponded directly, as well as that of the Department of State, for his conduct of the business of the legation. Perhaps his most difficult task was handling the American protest and claims for compensation arising out of the release of slaves from American ships forced by circumstances to put in British West Indian ports.
Vail finally persuaded the British government to refer the cases to the judicial committee of the Privy Council, but no further satisfaction was obtained during his term as a charge. After the Canadian rebellion of 1837, it was believed that many Americans imprisoned in Canada on suspicion of having been involved were being held arbitrarily and without the prospect of a trial. On April 3, 1838, Vail was appointed a special agent to go to Canada to investigate.
In his reports to the secretary of state, April 21 and May 5, he stated his belief that Americans implicated in the revolt were being treated "in the mildest manner consistent with the demands of justice". Appointed chief clerk of the Department of State June 26, 1838, he served until July 15, 1840. During this period, he acted on numerous occasions as secretary of state. In the latter capacity, he received notice from the Republic of Texas of the withdrawal of its offer of annexation to the United States; he protested vigorously the seizure by British authorities of American fishing craft on the coast of Nova Scotia, and he attempted to prevent the outbreak of the "Aroostook war" on the border between Maine and Canada.
From May 20, 1840 to August 1, 1842, when Washington Irving assumed the duties of a minister, Vail served as charg d'affaires at Madrid. During the periods of his life when he was not in public service, he seems to have lived in New York or in Europe.
He died at Pau, France.
Achievements
Religion
Completely at home in London society and on excellent terms with such British statesmen as Palmerston and Wellington, the bachelor charge received the approval of President Jackson, with whom he corresponded directly, as well as that of the Department of State, for his conduct of the business of the legation.
Connections
In 1835, Vail married Emilie Salles of New York City; they were the parents of a son, Aaron Vail II, and a daughter, Emilie, who was the wife of Henry C. Bradshaw.